Tuesday

It's decision day. Only one of three Democratic candidates will move on to November, when the winner of the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District will be decided.

Three Democrats battled it out in Tuesday’s Democratic Primary in the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District.

Early returns showed Needham lawyer Becca Rausch had a 2,900-vote lead over challengers Jackie Katz and Kris Alexsov, according to the Rausch campaign late Tuesday night. All precincts reported except for Norfolk and Franklin.

The winner faces incumbent Sen. Richard Ross, R-Wrentham, in November. Ross has held the seat since 2010.

"As we look to November, I'm beyond excited to get it done," Rausch said to her supporters Tuesday night. "...We need meaningful engagement from our elected officials, and we need it right now."

Katz is a teacher at Wellesley High School, and Aleksov is a Wayland lawyer.

Rausch had a big advantage in her campaign war chest. She raised more than $50,000, compared to over $2,000 for Katz and no funds for Alexsov. The numbers are courtesy of the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance. Ross has more than $13,000, according to the state office.

At an election party Tuesday night in Needham for Raush hosted by Georgina Arrieta-Ruetenik and Jim Reutenik, Rausch volunteers waited for the results to come in.

A call and email to Ross’s legislative office for comment was not returned.

Standing outside the Sprague Elementary School in Wellesley on Primary Day, Katz said she ran for office, because “we really need to stand up, and be part of the change.”

If she loses the Primary, Katz said she would more than likely run for office again.

“I’ll know the obstacles, and be better off next time,” Katz said.

Voters in Natick and Wellesley spoke of candidates in exit polling.

Howard Shea has lived in Natick 50 years, and after voting at the Natick Community Center, praised Rausch’s “gumption” for being a Town Meeting member in Needham.

“Rausch gets out there (in the community),” Shea said.

“Determination” and “caring for others” were the reasons Shea’s wife, June Shea, gave for voting for Rausch.

Deborah Foulkes lives in Natick, near the Wellesley line, and said Rausch is “personable, well spoken and focused on her agenda.”

Not disclosing who she voted for, Foulkes said Raush is focused on issues, like full-day kindergarten, that would increase her taxes and not have an effect in Natick, because it already has full-day kindergarten.

“Rausch doesn’t help my causes,” Foulkes, who has lived in Natick for 35 years, said.

Outside the Sprague Elementary School, Sabine Guerrero and her 18-year-old daughter Katarina said they voted for Katz.

“(Katz) is very driven, confident in her ideas, and well informed on ideas she believes in, “ Katarina Guerrero, who had Katz as a teacher, said. “I trust (Katz) will do the right thing.”

Kara Kressy, who has lived in Wellesley 22 years, said she planned to vote for Katz as she walked into the Sprague School.

“She’s a teacher, and she’s smart,” Kressy said. “If you can deal with high school kids, you can deal with anybody. Plus, she’s a woman.”

Some voters weighed-in on the upcoming race against Ross.

Ross just concluded a perfect roll-call vote attendance record in this year's legislative session, according to a statement from his office. It's the seventh straight session Ross has achieved the mark, the statement said.

“It is an honor and a privilege to represent the people of the Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex District on Beacon Hill, and by doing so that means showing up to vote on their behalf,” Ross said. “In 2019 the Senate will continue to tackle many issues my constituents are concerned about and I can assure them that I will be there for every vote to ensure that their voices are heard.”

“I’ve never heard from (Ross)," Foulkes said. “He should be a little more involved, out there promoting himself.”

“It doesn’t hurt to have discontent (at the State House),” Howard Shea said to stress his support for Republicans in a state dominated by Democrats.

A voter outside the Sprague School, who didn’t give his name, said, Ross has “some merits, and seems to be thoughtful of his votes.”

Then, he offered a caveat – “It would be a heavy lift to vote for a Republican in this day and age.”

Follow Henry Schwan on Twitter @henrymetrowest. He can be reached at hschwan@wickedlocal.com or 508-626-3964.